Top 4 Signs of a Broken Car Radiator

The radiator is one of the most important auto parts in a vehicle because it makes sure the engine doesn’t overheat. Without a properly functioning car radiator, you can expect your engine to overheat quickly, which can result in serious internal engine damages and hefty auto shop repair bills. Not sure if your car radiator is doing okay or not?

Continue reading to learn the top four signs of a broken or failing car radiator, and what to do if the cost to replace your car radiator exceeds the total market value of your vehicle.

Sell Your Totaled Car in Louisville Kentucky 502-804-5605
Sell Your Totaled Car in Louisville Kentucky 502-804-5605

How a Car Radiator Works

A car radiator is one of the primary components of the vehicles cooling system. You’ve heard of coolant before; right? Also known as radiator fluid or anti-freeze, coolant is a vital automotive fluid that is designed to absorb the heat that is generated by the vehicle’s running motor. After coolant absorbs enough engine heat, it travels through the car radiator where it is cooled and then circulated back into the engine to start the process over again.

How to Spot the Signs of a Failing Radiator

There are many signs and symptoms that can suggest a problem with a car’s radiator, but for top the list the majority of the time. These include coolant leaks, engine overheating, radiator sludge, and local levels. If you have noticed any of these 4 signs, you can safely assume the radiator is failing or going bad.

LOW COOLANT LEVELS

If you notice that your coolant levels are inconsistent, or you are refilling your coolant more often than normal, it could be a sign that your radiator is having problems. Typically, your dashboard will have a low coolant line that will eliminate when equivalent levels are too low. More often, this is a sign of a coolant leak.

COOLANT LEAKS

If you’ve noticed coolant accumulating on the floor below your vehicle, you can safely assume you’ve got a radiator leak coolant on your hands. This is a common radiator breakdown problem that requires immediate automotive repair attention. Typically, this is a result of a crack in the radiator.

RADIATOR SLUDGE

The presence of radiator sludge is another tell-tale sign of a bad radiator. Radiator sludge can be detected when checking your coolant levels. Radiator fluid is typically red or green in color, but if there is an excessive level of radiator sludge present, your coolant will take on a rusty or brown color and appear sicker than normal.

OVERHEATING ENGINE

If your car engine is constantly overheating, the radiator might be the first place you want to look. After all, your radiator is a vital component within the automotive cooling system; so, if your engine is getting too hot, it is very likely that your radiator is not doing its job well enough.

Older Broken Radiators and Total Loss Vehicles

If the cost to repair your car’s radiator exceeds the total market value of your car, your car is totaled. In this case, sell your junk car to a local Kentucky cash for cars company for instant cash on the spot! If you simply need to replace your radiator, sell your old one to the same Louisville junk car buyer for an instant cash profit!

Are you looking for a trusted Louisville junk car buyer? Contact GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 to sell your junk car in Louisville, Kentucky for cash on the spot! We provide free junk car removal!

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Louisville Junk Car Buyers 502-804-5605
Louisville Junk Car Buyers 502-804-5605

A DIY Guide for Car Radiator Flushing

Once you turn the key, start your vehicle’s ignition, and then begin to drive, your internal combustion engine starts producing a substantial amount of heat.  In order to remove this heat and prevent your engine from overheating, a functional radiator is needed.  A car radiator uses thermal heat exchange to eliminate high temperatures and heat to keep a vehicle’s engine in working condition. This means that larger vehicles require larger radiators to facilitate the same effect.

For radiators to be effective and stay cool, they must be cleaned regularly by means of flushing.  Solid deposits, residues, and other sediment buildup can cause a cooling system to clog or fail entirely. Flushing a car radiator is one of the most important routine maintenance jobs and must be done to keep vehicles operational over time. Fortunately, it can be done on your own.  It’s also quick and inexpensive to do. 

Continue reading to learn some tips that can help you when it comes time to flush your car radiator.

Louisville Junk Car Buyers 502-804-5605
Louisville Junk Car Buyers 502-804-5605

Start By Acquiring the Correct Supplies

The first thing to do when it comes to flushing a car radiator is gather up all the necessary supplies and materials.  It is never a fun situation to get halfway through your project, only to discover you are missing a key element.  Going back to the store could pose a problem; especially if the radiator has already been drained.  Ideal provisions for radiator flushing jobs include a funnel, cloth rag, coolant, radiator flush solution, Phillips screwdriver or wrench, separate container for old coolant, and extra rags for accidents and spills. When you have determined that all your supplies are in place, you can begin the process of flushing the radiator. 

How to Flush Your Car’s Radiator:

Before you remove the radiator cap, be sure the car engine is COMPLETELY cool; otherwise you run the risk of spilling hot coolant on yourself. And this really burns!

Next, flush the used coolant out of the radiator. Do this by locating the radiator drain plug. It is typically located at the bottom of the radiator. If you have trouble finding it, refer to your owners’ manual or look online for pictures and instructional videos. You can also contact a professional mechanic for over-the-phone assistance.

Once you find the drain plug, place the container for old coolant under the drain and open it up. Let the old coolant flow out for a few minutes; if it seems to be moving slow, check to see if the plug is all the way open.

When the radiator is empty, replace the drain plug and open the radiator cap. 

Next, pour the flush cleaning solution inside. Fill the remaining space inside the radiator with room temperature water. 

Now you are ready to replace the radiator cap; just be sure it is screwed on tight.  It is possible for caps to fall off, which allows coolant to escape from the radiator. 

Let the car engine run until it reaches its normal driving temperature.  Then turn it off and let it cool completely. 

Once the car engine is cool again, you are ready to flush the solution from the radiator and add fresh clean coolant.  Use the same emptying process as before.

Use a 50/50 solution of coolant and water to get optimal and safe results.  You can find pre-mixed coolants at your local auto store.  This is sometimes more convenient. 

Is Your Radiator Past the Point of Maintenance of Repair? Did you total your car after attempting to make repairs on your own? If so, just sell it to a local Louisville junk car buyer for instant cash paid on the spot!

The Kentucky Scrap Metal Buyer to Choose

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 to sell a junk car in Louisville, Kentucky. We are your easiest solution to getting rid of junk and bulking up your wallet, all at the same time! Our experienced and knowledgeable junk car buyers purchase all motor vehicles, regardless of age, make, model, or condition. They don’t even have to run or have all their parts! Not only do we accept all vehicles, regardless of age, make, model, and condition, we also payout the highest returns for junk vehicles in Kentucky. Call 502-804-5605 to get your junk car cash, today.

Louisville Junk Car Buyers 502-804-5605
Louisville Junk Car Buyers 502-804-5605